FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION There are several forms of contamination in aviation fuel. The higher the viscosity of the fuel, the greater is its ability to hold contaminants in suspension. For this reason, jet fuels having a high viscosity are more susceptible to contamination than aviation gasoline. The principal contaminants that reduce the quality of both gasoline and turbine fuels are other petroleum products, water, rust or scale, and dirt. Water Water can be present in the fuel in two forms: (1) Dissolved in the fuel or (2) entrained or suspended in the fuel. Entrained water can be detected with the naked eye. The finely divided droplets reflect light and in high concentrations give the fuel a dull, hazy, or cloudy appearance. Particles of entrained water may unite to form droplets of free water. Fuel can be cloudy for a number of reasons. If the fuel is cloudy and the cloud disappears at the bottom, air is present. If the cloud disappears at the top, water is present. A cloud usually indicates a water in fuel suspension. Free water can cause icing of the aircraft fuel system, usually in the aircraft boost pump screens and low pressure filters. Fuel gauge readings may become erratic because the water short circuits the aircraft's electrical fuel cell quantity probe. Large amounts of water can cause engine stoppage. If the free water is saline, it can cause corrosion of the fuel system components.
----- Original Message ----- From: <feg...@sbcglobal.net> To: <jsaupe6...@earthlink.net>; "KRnet" <kr...@mylist.net> Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2006 1:49 AM Subject: Re: KR> water in the fuel?
